Posted By Admin On August 1, 2012 @ 2:02 pm In Design,Hotels,Travel | No Comments

First ever co-curated illy art collection cup

Coffee Culture is Commemorated at Le Méridien’s New Istanbul Hotel

Curated art is one of the latest hot hotel trends, and the Le Méridien hotel group takes the fad to a new level by partnering with illycaffè to debut the first ever co-curated illy art collection cup. This functional piece of art was designed by :mentalKLINIK, a highly acclaimed, contemporary Turkish artist duo (Yasemin Baydar and Birol Demir). Selected by illycaffè Art Director Carlo Bach and Le Méridien Cultural Curator Jérôme Sans, the artists are members of LM100, a multi-generational, interdisciplinary group of cultural innovators chosen from the fields of art, architecture, cuisine and design.

The role of LM100 is to help Le Méridien incorporate a cultural component into the hotel experience. According to Vincent Gillet, Global Brand Leader for Le Méridien and W Hotels, the art collection cup was created because “coffee culture is a key part of the Le Méridien DNA, [and] illycaffè and Le Méridien share a passion for art and believe that coffee has forever been linked to creativity, expression and discussion.” The white porcelain cup and saucer feature a simple design of bright, gold geometric shapes that create the perception of different design patterns when influenced by light and reflection. The cup debuted at Le Méridien Istanbul Etiler – also a newcomer on the scene. Opened on January 30, it is the first Le Méridien hotel in Turkey and overlooks the Bosphorus with panoramic views over two continents. Along with being the site of the illy art collection cup launch, the 259-room hotel also offers an art program showcasing contemporary Turkish artists. This includes Le Méridien’s UNLOCK ART, featuring an artist-designed key card collection that offers access to both the guest room and affiliated contemporary cultural centers.